Jim Smith passed away on March 10, 2023 after a long illness. Jim was born on November 19, 1938 in New York, to Irish immigrants Michael and Marian McKenna Smith. He was raised in the Bronx, NY, and attended Tolentine High School and Manhattan College. While at Manhattan College, he served as Vice President of the National Federation of Catholic College Students (NFCCS), and in that role participated in civil rights initiatives. In addition, he was active in the Sigma Beta Kappa (SPK) fraternity. While participating in a service event for SPK at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Harrison, NY, he met a student nurse who would become the love of his life, Kathleen Cahill. Jim remained active with Manhattan College throughout his life, serving as President of the Alumni Association and on its Board of Directors. While attending college, he worked at Alexander’s department store, starting a lifelong career in the garment industry, for which he traveled the world. He also served his country as an army reservist for six years. On December 29, 1962, he and Kathleen married in Albany, NY; and eventually settled in Eastchester, NY. They had four children: Sheila Kester (Mike) of Hopkinton, MA; Kathleen Ramirez (Pedro) of Riverside, CT; Maureen Waters (Tom) of Alexandria, VA; and James Smith (Alexandra) of Ridgewood, NJ; and 11 grandchildren: Lindsay, Ryan, Tara, and Anne Kester; Caitlin and Alex Ramirez; Katherine, Liam, and Nicholas Waters; and Fiona and Kelly Smith. In addition to a successful career, Jim was active in the community, especially at Davenport Club, where he and his family happily spent each summer, and where he served as President. He and Kathleen later bought a second home in Spring Lake, NJ, where he cherished days at the beautiful beach. Viewing will be on Friday, March 17 th from 3-7 pm at Westchester Funeral Home, 190 Main St., Eastchester, NY. A Funeral mass will be held on Saturday March 18th at 10 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 8 Carmen Rd. Scarsdale NY; with interment following at Holy Mount Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s honor can be made to Manhattan College:
https://connect.manhattan.edu/giving
Designation: James ’60 and Kathleen Smith Scholarship; or 4513 Manhattan College Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10471, attn: Elizabeth Plaushin, with “James ’60 and Kathleen Smith Scholarship” in the memo.

LIVESTREAM of Funeral Mass:
https://ihm-parish.org/streaming-mass

or

https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-for-jim-smith-dm6v6rgimjfonmneou0m